RECRUITMENT FOR GOD’S ARMY
Introduction: This section of Ephesians is a significant part of the battle of the Christian life that many have struggled with. It is a solution to having victory as a believer in the areas of our life that Satan attacks. This passage is essential for a believer to have victory over sin and the world. It says in Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is not hard to understand the things listed here. Our battle is not against people, “flesh and blood,” but “against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The Christian life is a spiritual life, and yet there are spiritual battles Satan initiates to keep a believer from doing the will of God and bringing glory to God. This lesson is to prepare a believer for the difficulties encountered in everyday life that defeat them in their walk with God.
- Stability, Ephesians 6:13. There are two words here that describe the action of a soldier of Christ. One is “withstand” and the other is “stand.” The word “withstand” has the meaning of “strong resistance or opposition to someone or something.” In the context, the subject of opposition is coming from “the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Christians are not wrestling against “flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12) but a more austere enemy, the devil. As seen earlier, further identification is found in Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Four sources of opposition can prevent a believer from being effective in living the Christian life. Ephesians 6:13 indicates that we need to be able to “withstand in the evil day.” It must be understood that we are living in the “evil day.” Christians, to be effective followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be ready to “withstand” and “stand.” Standing suggests stability in the Christian life. Believers are in a battle “against wicked spiritual forces.”
- Security, Ephesians 6:14. This passage begins with “Stand therefore.” Hoehner comments on this and says, “Therefore, the believers are told not to advance but to hold the ground and not to retreat in the face of wicked spiritual leaders led by the devil.” The “breastplate of righteousness” is the provision given to the believer at salvation. The most vulnerable part of the human body is the heart, which is the muscle that keeps everything else healthy and viable. It is interesting that the “breastplate” is named “of righteousness.” That is the very thing that verifies the believer’s security in Christ. The Bible gives some essential applications through righteousness. It says in Romans 3:21-22 (KJV) 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. Another verse emphasizes this important part of the Christian life. Paul wrote in Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Righteousness is that part of God’s provision that makes every believer a citizen of heaven because we are “in Christ” and have His “righteousness” imputed to us. That means Satan can do nothing to keep us out of heaven.
- Shoes, Ephesians 6:15 (KJV) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Shoes are an element of our “walk.” This includes at least two things. One, our “walk” with the Lord, daily. Second, the “walk” of sharing the gospel. Note it says, “. . .having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The word “shod” is still used in our culture, yet you have to know something about horses to understand it. The only place we find the word “shod” is in the practice of attaching metal shoes to a horse’s hooves to aid them in rugged terrain. The feet of an animal or person are very significant. A believer should have on their “spiritual” shoes and “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Do not overlook the word “preparation” in the phrase. A Christian should be prepared to go be shod with the “preparation of the gospel of peace.” Christians must be prepared. We should seek to know the scripture and learn the skill of soulwinning. Paul trained several people (some suggest 76) to do the work of ministry. He told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. If you look back where it says in Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. [Emphasis added.] There was to be a group of men (vs. 11) who were given to the church to equip them to prefect the saints, “. . .for the work of the ministry.” Every Christian has the responsibility of engaging in the “work of the ministry.” That is not just for the preachers and staff members. That is what discipleship is about. It trains you in the foundation doctrines of the Bible so you can do the “work of the ministry.” Here, there must be the “preparation of the gospel of peace.” Everyone has the responsibility of witnessing. Here is a passage pertinent to this point in Acts 1:8 (KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. We have the responsibility of our “Jerusalem” ORLANDO. Eastland Baptist Church and other churches of like faith have the responsibility for our “Judea”, FLORIDA. The other churches and church planting missionaries we send out are going to “Samaria,” U.S.A. The missionaries going to places like the Philippines, Malawi, Africa, India, Mexico, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, etc., are going to “the uttermost part of the earth.” Are “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace?” The “your” here is a plural personal pronoun which encompasses everyone in this room and those in other parts of this church. Did you know that there are approximately 7,300 or more languages in the world? Only 724 of these languages have the Bible in their language. That means one in every five people does not have the Bible in their language. There are approximately 8.2 billion people in the world today. That means nearly 2 billion plus people have no access to the Bible or have never heard the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24). We need to put on our “Gospel Shoes” (“your feet shod”) with the “gospel of peace” and be motivated to engage the process. You may do that by supporting the “Missions Program” of Eastland Baptist Church and giving to the mission fund. You and I have a responsibility to see the gospel proclaimed in every avenue available. This has been the “external” part of the “work of the ministry.” Now we go to some of the “internal” aspects of the ministry.
- Shield, Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The word “faith” is often addressed with the importance of being saved, and that should not be underestimated. Yet, there are other parts of “faith” that are to be a part of our Christian life, and one of those aspects is stated here. Take note of the word “and” in Ephesians 6:15, 17, 19. Note that verse 16 does not have “and” at the beginning, but the phrase “above all.” That is a literal translation of the words. It simply means “above all.” The secular dictionaries define it as, “before every other consideration” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary), “chief in rank” (Webster Dictionary 1828). In other words, it is to be taken very seriously. The importance of faith cannot be overemphasized. The word “faith” is found in the KJB 217 times. It is found in the Old Testament two times. One has in Deuteronomy 32:20 (KJV) And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. This verse is in a passage where Moses is delivering a “song” for the people of Israel just before they enter the land of promise under Joshua’s leadership. The first six verses of this chapter say, Deuteronomy 32:1-2 (KJV) 1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? The message is to remind Israel who God was and how the people they are going to take their land were a people of “no faith.” The second time the word appears is one of some familiarity in Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. God is establishing in the Old Testament the significance of “faith.” When the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to the Ephesian believers, “above all, taking the shield of faith. . .” he was telling believers in the First Century as well as the 21st Century that the “shield of faith” is an essential part of the armour to be taken up by those in the battle, which is every Christian. The rest of the verse explains why this is important above all else, which says, “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” This is speaking of none other than the enemy, Satan. Dr. Phillips gives an excellent explanation of the Roman Soldier and his “shield.” He says,
“Paul had often seen the shields Roman soldiers carried into war. The shields were made so that a row of soldiers could lock shield to shield, forming a wall of iron. Such a wall would be difficult, if not impossible, for a foe to penetrate. Each individual shield was big enough to cover the soldier’s whole body. Darts and arrows hurled at the soldier hit the shield and fell harmlessly to the ground.”
Our faith is as important as anything we have. We must learn to “trust” God and believe everything He has provided for us as stated in the scripture, the KJB. How is your “faith?” Do you trust God for everything taking place in your life? Jesus said, “O ye of little faith” several times (Matt. 6:30; 8:26; Luke 12:28). On the other hand, he said “I have not found so great faith” (Matt. 8:10; Luke 7:9). Stephen was called a “man full of faith and the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5, 8). Barnabas, Paul’s first missionary companion was described as a man “full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” (Acts 11:24). Paul told the church at Rome (which he had not visited when writing the book of Romans) in Romans 1:8 (KJV) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. [Emphasis added.] Paul told the church at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 2:5 (KJV) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Paul wrote to the Galatians in Galatians 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. WHICH OF THESE WOULD DESCRIBE YOUR FAITH?
- Salvation, Ephesians 6:17a. Here we find an essential piece of armour, the “helmet of salvation.” There is an aspect of the Christian life that this piece of armour represents. Why is this so important? Let me answer this with a question. Where does insecurity of salvation begin? Where does a person begin to believe they may not be saved? This usually comes about after a moral failure or falling into some sin. It begins in their “thinking” processes. If there is a phrase I have heard in the years of ministry, it is, “Pastor, I am not sure I am saved.” What made them think this? It was some aspect of carnality they had committed, or some bad word they had uttered, or some evil thought entering their thinking. Carnality is not a condition of “losing your salvation.” Paul told the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (KJV) 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Carnality is not a condition of being lost for a Christian. Security of the believer is when a person begins to think that something they said or did would be a condition of losing their salvation. Jesus said in John 10:27-30 (KJV) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. [Emphasis added.] When the mind begins to believe what Jesus said, they will establish security.
- Sword, Ephesians 6:17b. The second part of this verse says to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” It is essential to understand why these two pieces of armour are in the same verse. One reason people have insecurity about their salvation is that they are unfamiliar with the Bible and its teachings on salvation and other doctrines. The book you hold in your hand is one of the most important items you can possess and use. The sword of the Spirit is vital for spiritual growth. One of the crucial aspects of the Bible is stated in Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word of God will cut away those things that keep you from serving him if you will just read and apply it. The only way we can move away from carnality is to expose our heart and mind to the word of God. It says here that the word of God is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Your security will take shape as you expose your thinking to what God has said in His word.
- Supplication, Ephesians 6:18 (KJV) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. This verse is an integral part of the preceding verses. There are some minute (my-NOOT, “tiny”) aspects of the Bible (and English grammar) that we often overlook, and that is punctuation marks. Many of the new translations have a period at the end of verse 17. Your King James Bible has a “colon” (:) at the end. A period suggests the thought ends and makes vs. 18 a new thought, a colon “signals that something will follow to elaborate, explain, or introduce what came before it.” It should be recognized that vs. 18 elaborates on what has gone before it. The prayer of a believer is not just for their understanding of the text (that helps), but note the phrase “all saints” at the end of the verse. That means we need each other. Are you praying for anyone in Eastland Baptist Church? Do you exercise prayer for the people on the Wednesday prayer list? Perhaps we should assess our spiritual well-being when we omit prayer from our daily routines.